6 Month Old Breastfed Baby Very Attached to Mommy?

My son is almost 6 months old and only breastfeeding. I know that babies that breastfeed are usually attached. He has also been co-sleeping with my dh and I since he was 2 days old. He used to nap atleast 4 hours in a day, NOW I'm lucky if I can get him to take a 15 minute nap without me laying beside him. He... show more My son is almost 6 months old and only breastfeeding. I know that babies that breastfeed are usually attached. He has also been co-sleeping with my dh and I since he was 2 days old. He used to nap atleast 4 hours in a day, NOW I'm lucky if I can get him to take a 15 minute nap without me laying beside him. He would also take these naps in his crib, up to 2 1/2 hour naps! Now, not at all. I have to cuddle with him,sneak away, and he usually up within 10-15 minutes crying. This is my biggest issue right now. I love my baby being attached to mommy, but I can't even get anything done. Another question, breastfeeding, he will not take a bottle. We've tried so many things, someone else giving it to him while I leave the room, different bottles, everything. Nothing works. I love my little man, but mommy needs some time for herself too. I've never been away from him since birth longer than 1 hour. I'm 20 years old and still new to certain subjects, but I'm a great mom. I just need help!

Update: breastfeeding, newborn, sleep, 6 months

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Best Answer: I had a neighbor that married the most polite man I ever met. He was really shy and really nice and just so polite it was almost irritating.
One day he knocks on my door with their screaming baby. He looked so frazzled and his face so red with embarrassment, yet maintained that polite way of his and asked me if I would nurse his baby.
Mama went shopping and had left a couple bottles for her but baby refused. After about two and a half hours he finally came to me for help.
I nursed his baby and she was happy at last, and fell asleep. Both husband and wife thanked me for days over that small favor I provided.
My girls didn't care, breast, bottle, it didn't matter to them (thankfully). I nursed each for a year, and found that it was I that had the tough time of weaning them off the breast!
It does seem like forever with our babies and sleep patterns, eating preferences, yet you will actually look back on these days with fondness and maybe a touch of yearning for those times again. Right now you can't imagine this but it's true.
It is normal and will pass into another phase.

Your son is *supposed* to be very attached to you. That is how he will learn to be attached-later-to someone else.

He does not know that he is not the center of your universe. He has no idea about housework, "me time", or anything else. He only knows that when he is with you, it feels right, and when he is not with you-even if you are in another room-it feels "wrong". He has no idea that you would like him to take a bottle, and sees no reason to do it. Why should he want to put this strange thing in his mouth and use a different suck, that takes different muscles and delivers milk a different way and with a different taste, when he can have you, your arms, your warmth, and the familiarity of being with you and at the breast?

You might enjoy getting out with your baby to a "mommy and me" group, a story hour at the library (yes, they have them for babies), or any place else that you can have time with other young mothers and their babies. Perhaps on a weekend, you can have 2 hours or so to do something on your own; a haircut, manicure, some shopping, or even a movie. Maybe his dad or another relative can take him for a walk or other outing.

If he can sleep for 2 or more hours without breastfeeding, he will not starve if he is away from you for that length of time, even if he refuses a bottle. He may not be happy, and he might cry until you return, but it will probably not be from hunger.

He will not be so little and needy forever. As a matter of fact, I guarantee that you won't believe how fast the first year goes by, and then the next. Please be patient with your little boy, and allow him this time to be a baby and rely on you. You are the center of his wold, and he thinks he is the center of yours.

For more information about normal infant development, sleep, and attachment, go to the ParentingScience website.

Source(s): hospital IBCLC and mothers' group leader 20+ years
mom to 3

I had this issue, because I was returning to work when she was eight months.

First off, the bottle. I could never get her to take a bottle well. When I finally had to leave for work, she used a sippy cup for the first while, then eventually accepted a bottle. It is different if she knows you are still in the house than if you are actually gone.

The sleeping thing is hard, really hard. She would only go to sleep in my arms at first. Then when I went back to work she learned to sleep on her own, kinda. Place an item of your clothing, like a blanket ot a sweater, in her crib so it smells like you. I was never good at crying it out. But when I was away working, there was nothing my boyfriend could do if she didn't want to be held by him (just made it worse) I am really glad I wasn't there for those first nights, but I think it is because of them that she sleeps well now. I just never had the heart to let her wail without picking her up and bringing her to mama.

For me, it was about learning to trust my boyfriend/parents. And learning that your baby CAN survive without you, even if he won't be happy at first. I suggest completely going away for a day to do something you enjoy. Being out of the house makes it easier on everyone.

I am actually having the same problems as you i am just breastfeeding since birth my daughter is now 6months and she always wants to be with me when i give her to her dad for a while so i can tidy up a little she just cries muma muma. When it comes to her sleeping she is fine sleeps all the night i wake her to feed her every 4 hours though and she has 2-3hour naps during the day 3times she sleeps whilst im breastfeeding her then i wind her then put her down in her cot she doesnt wake atall.